San Diego Restaurants

Those in search of a great meal south of the border are rarely disappointed when they visit Baja California Norte. Fresh seafood is readily available, and is one of the region’s specialties. The city of Tijuana is home to many excellent restaurants; amongst them is a longtime, family owned establishment called La Costa, which is one of the most respected purveyors of oceanic delicacies in town. They also have a sister restaurant of the same name situated near the beach, just a few miles south of Tijuana.

In Rosarito Beach, Mariscos de Rosarito Vince’s at Blvd. Benito Juarez No.79, is a family based dining establishment that runs their own fishing boat, and is preferred by the locals. A few blocks south, El Nido will absolutely delight the steak lovers in your group with fork tender, mesquite grilled filet mignon that practically melts in your mouth. Not much further down the street is the famed Rosarito Beach Hotel, which features exceptional gourmet fare in their upstairs restaurant.

About an hour’s drive further south, visitors to the City of Ensenada can take a stroll down the cobblestone sidewalk of the main business district and enjoy such amenities as outdoor cafes, interesting shops and roving Mariachi musicians. The commercial fish market, or Mercado Negro, is immediately to your right as you drive into town, and is popular with many visitors. Fresh seafoods of practically every description are available from vendors that line both rows of the building. Waiting outside, small stands offer passersby everything from fish or shrimp tacos to fresh, oyster and clam cocktails.

Those who seek a higher-end dining experience also have a plethora of nearby options to choose from. A few blocks away from the fish market sits Mahi-Mahi, an absolutely outstanding restaurant that focuses on seafood, is reasonably priced and is usually crowded with local residents. Directly across the street from the main plaza, Casamar is a restaurant that has been noted for serving quality seafood for decades. Sano will consistently impress those with a taste for fine steaks. It is located on your right just before you approach Ensenada’s waterfront, and is owned by the locally renowned Hussong family. The pricing here is comparable to that of an upscale restaurant in southern California.

Another local favorite is Haliotis, the Latin word for abalone, which also happens to be this restaurant’s house specialty. Over the past 40 years, the prized abalone has virtually disappeared from the coasts of Baja and southern California. This is one of the only places in Ensenada where you can still order what is arguably one of the most coveted Gastropods on the planet with complete confidence. Diners at Haliotis can expect to be treated to delectable seafood, excellent service, and one of the most stunning displays of beautifully made stained glass in northern Baja.

No matter where you choose to dine, don’t forget to pair your meal with one of the award winning wines that are grown and bottled along the Ruta de Viña, just a few miles northeast of Ensenada. While in the city, wine lovers should also take advantage of the opportunity to stop at Bodegas de Santo Tomas, which is located in the center of town and is one of Baja’s oldest wineries.

Visitors to Baja’s northern Pacific coast are in for a treat, as they encounter a wide variety of eateries that feature a taste of food and culture that will prompt them to return to this magical place again and again.

LA COSTA (Tijuana)
Galiana No. 150 (Half a block away from the Jai Alai Palace off Avenida Revolucion in downtown Tijuana.)

LA COSTA, Sur (Coastal toll highway)
Take San Antonio exit off toll road, just before Baja Malibu.

MARISCO’S VINCE’S
Blvd. Benito Juarez No.79, Rosarito Beach

EL NIDO
Blvd. Benito Juarez No. 67, Rosarito Beach

CHABERT’S RESTAURANT - Rosarito Beach Hotel
Blvd. Benito Juarez No. 31, Rosarito Beach

SANO
Carr. Tij-ens KM 108 SN, 22860, Ensenada

MAHI MAHI
Paseo Hidalgo 33, Ensenada

CASAMAR
Boulevard Costero No. 987, Ensenada

HALIOTIS
Avenida Delante No. 179, Ensenada

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